Seventh Commandment – No Adultery

Seventh Commandment – No Adultery

Exodus 20:  ¹⁴ “You shall not commit adultery.

 

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GOD provided the seventh commandment to Moses and the children of Israel. This time HIS focus was on relationships.

 

My Observations:

• GOD was protecting the lineage of JESUS, keeping it pure and traceable.
• GOD symbolically wanted a relationship with people who wanted HIM and HIM alone.
• GOD was addressing their polytheistic mindset through the symbolism of marriage.

 

To keep the lineage of JESUS pure and traceable, GOD needed the children of Israel to remain married. They had been under the influence of Egypt for hundreds of years. Their mindset was that any god will do. This mindset would spill into their relationships. Any woman or man will do, was not enough for GOD.

 

In this commandment, GOD shows HIS commitment that HE would keep HIS promise. “I will never leave you or forsake you.” When humans look at this commandment from a human perspective, they fail miserably by boiling the statement down to sex versus choice.

 

GOD was establishing a lineage that would eventually lead to the birth of CHRIST. Both people needed to follow GOD versus the ways of the people of Canaan. Zipporah had a strange encounter with GOD, who was about to execute Moses if his son was not circumcised.

 

We are not given the context, but I believe Zipporah had to accept the command of circumcision without fighting it as she may have done. GOD wanted harmony between HIM, Adam and Eve. But due to the fall of humans, pain and rules needed to be put in place.

 

I believe the commitment to GOD is what HE is speaking about. I carefully paraphrase this passage by saying, “Children of Israel, choose a mate who will follow ME so that JESUS will come through your people and save all humans from their sins.”

 

It was not about effectiveness. The woman that JESUS spoke to at the well had many “husbands,” yet her testimony saved an entire town. David, the most famous adulterer, was a man after GOD’s heart. Not because of adultery, but because of his relationship with GOD.

 

JESUS said there is no need for marriage in heaven because HE is the GOD of the living. Humans look at themselves when reading this commandment versus looking at GOD. Their choice of a mate needed to point to the arrival of JESUS.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS commandment to not have adultery?
• Have you ever considered leaving GOD and HIS ways, to pursue what?
• GOD said HE would never leave you nor forsake you, so are you willing to stay with GOD no matter what you have done?

Triumphant

 

Triumphant

James 2:  ¹⁰ Whoever breaks one commandment is guilty of breaking them all. ¹¹ For the same one who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Even if you do not commit adultery, you have become a lawbreaker if you commit murder. ¹² Speak and act as people who will be judged by the law that sets us free. ¹³ For God will not show mercy when he judges the person who has not been merciful; but mercy triumphs over judgment.

 

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Hearing what someone else did made me feel pretty good about myself. “I don’t drink and I don’t do drugs and I don’t kill people” were my measures of success. But on my way to work I cut people off in traffic, was short with people at work and joined in on the jokes about body parts.

 

• I tried to justify my sin by comparing what I did to other people.
• I came up with my own conclusion that I was “better” than most people, so I deserved better treatment from GOD.
• I also factored in that I had stopped doing certain sins so GOD should treat me better than those who are still stuck in the stuff “I” used to do.

 

James addressed the sin of comparison. He mentions adultery and murder as two extreme sins to compare. People may have justified adultery, comparing it to murder, thinking it wasn’t as bad as murder. He then gives the right heart each person should have, namely be merciful.

 

My Observations:

• My insecurities make me compare myself to other people so I can feel good about myself.
• Overlooking my own guilt makes me judge other people.
• GOD sets me free from sin through JESUS and wants me to be merciful versus judgmental.

 

Breaking a single Law makes me guilty of breaking the whole Law of GOD. While this seems extremely harsh, it shows me GOD’s standard which is without sin and full of pure love. HE saw that I would struggle with sin because I was born with a tendency to sin. I could never be “good” enough to meet HIS standard of being sinless, so JESUS made a way to remove my guilt.

 

HE not only save me, but wants others saved as well. HE knows the sins of “that” person and forgives him or her, just like HE forgave me. HE wants me to look at my own sins and to not use comparison to justify being judgey. I am glad JESUS makes me triumphant when I show mercy, even in its tiniest degree.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about being guilty?
• Have you ever tried to compare your sin to other people?
• Have you ever talked bad about other people?
• Will you seek mercy by asking GOD to clean your heart so you can be more and more merciful towards all people today?

No Halfsies

No Halfsies

Hebrews 13: ⁴ Marriage is to be honored by all, and husbands and wives must be faithful to each other. God will judge those who are immoral and those who commit adultery.

 

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After the convention, we all danced in relief. I remained sober, unlike my counterparts. A drunken stranger approached me on the dancefloor provocatively. The thought crossed my mind to reciprocate. A coworker called me over to the side and suggested we leave the party.

 

• I was tempted.
• I was glad I had someone there to keep me from doing what I was thinking.
• I did not think “people” would know, but GOD would.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, spoke about marriage from GOD’s perspective. He emphasized morality and commitment regarding marriage. He gave a stern warning that while other people may not know, GOD will know.

 

My Observations:

• There is something special to GOD regarding purity and commitment.
• GOD wants me to consider the consequences of my actions.
• It is not up to me to judge people, rather GOD will judge.

 

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD” is a state in which all humans suffer. I mean, I am born into sin and deserve eternal separation from GOD. JESUS died to same me from eternal separation. Now that I believe, I am eternally saved. But what about the sins I commit?

 

GOD will not remember my sins, but HE did not say my current sins will not have consequences. GOD corrects those who are HIS. HE does not spare the rod on any of HIS children. HIS expectation is that I live my life as best I can, knowing sometimes I may make mistakes. I am glad GOD gives me boundaries.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer mention “immorality” and “adultery” as two separate but similar items?
• Have you ever been tempted to do something you know was wrong?
• Will you consider placing your actions under GOD’s authority today?

Control Lessons

Control Lessons

1 Thessalonians 4: ³ It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; ⁴ that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, ⁵ not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; ⁶ and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. ⁷ For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. ⁸ Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

 

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Stumbling onto a magazine filled with nudity, something inside me caught fire. “This is great!” I thought to myself. I told a friend what I saw and he got excited! His parents had a subscription channel, way back in the day, that sent a somewhat scrambled signal, but you could still make out the distorted images. It was “R” rated and we celebrated the brief moments of nudity.

 

• I did not want to control myself.
• Something inside me wanted to see the real thing.
• When I saw the real thing, I wanted to see and do more and more.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy gave some difficult news to a group of people who may have been exposed to sex in ways that were not pleasing to the LORD. They do not condemn the people, rather urge the to “learn to control” themselves. This control would help in GOD’s calling.

 

My Observations

• GOD’s calling on my life includes self-control.
• The LORD is the one who sees what I do in secret.
• GOD gave me the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me and wants me to feed HIM with things that are pleasing to HIM.

 

Self-control is a learned skill. I mean, when I really, really like something that is not good for me, I need specific ways to reduce or avoid that thing. Whether it be food, drugs or sex, addictions can be difficult to stop. BUT GOD provides help.

 

HE does not want me to fail, rather HE provides ways to help me live a life that is pure and holy for HIM. HE guides me away from harmful things that cause insatiable desires and focuses my attention on HIM. I am glad GOD is the one who provides a way.

 

Challenge

• What is the will of GOD the writers spoke of?
• Have you ever gotten into a crowd that said “It is okay” to do what you are doing, yet something inside you says it is not?
• Will you ask GOD for self-control so HE can guide you to live a life that is pleasing and purposeful from HIM today?

Permanent Solution

Permanent Solution

1 Corinthians 6: ⁷ The very fact that you have legal disputes among yourselves shows that you have failed completely. Would it not be better for you to be wronged? Would it not be better for you to be robbed? ⁸ Instead, you yourselves wrong one another and rob one another, even other believers! ⁹ Surely you know that the wicked will not possess God's Kingdom. Do not fool yourselves; people who are immoral or who worship idols or are adulterers or homosexual perverts ¹⁰ or who steal or are greedy or are drunkards or who slander others or are thieves—none of these will possess God's Kingdom. ¹¹ Some of you were like that. But you have been purified from sin; you have been dedicated to God; you have been put right with God by the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

 

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“Maybe I can use a coat hanger” was my first thought in repairing the hatch back door on my jalopy of a car.  Of course the hanger did not fit properly. It was too thin to snugly connect the hatch to the car and if I doubled the hanger, it was too thick. I needed a permanent solution.

 

• There have been many times when I looked at temporary solutions as permanent.
• There have been many times when I declared something as “fixed” when it was still broken.
• There have been many times when I argued about my patch work, justifying why I repaired it the way I did.

 

Paul explains the reason it is frivolous to take legal action against another believer in JESUS. He, however, does it in a strange way. He explains that anyone who sins in any way, will not receive the kingdom of GOD. The sines he lists are temporary solutions to a deeper problem, namely the lack of a relationship with JESUS for salvation.

 

• GOD wants me to turn from temporary sin and replace it with a permanent solution, namely JESUS.
• GOD knows I cannot resist sin, so HE gave me a permanent solution, namely JESUS.
• GOD saw all the sins I would ever commit, and HE forgave me with HIS permanent solution, namely JESUS.

 

Trying to pick apart the list Paul writes, points to a deeper problem which is surrender. I mean, if I think “I” am not on the list he writes about and that I can tell someone else to straighten up because “their” actions are sinful, then I am the one with the serious problem. All have sinned and need a permanent solution to sin.

 

JESUS is that permanent solution. HE not only saves me eternally, HE guides me daily through the HOLY SPIRIT. When I want to use sin as my solution, the HOLY SPIRIT warns me and provides a way out. I don’t always take the way out, so HE pleads for me when I sin. I am grateful GOD’s grace is sufficient to cover my sins.

 

• Are you trying to fix your life with temporary sin?
• Do you think you were “born that way” and are unwilling to surrender your life to JESUS?
• Have you fallen for the lie that if you have committed a sin, GOD will not forgive you, or worse yet, you do not feel you need to be forgiven?
• Will you consider the love of JESUS and ask for forgiveness of any sin so HE will be faithful and just to forgive you of your sins and cleanse you of all unrighteousness today?

Power Revoked

Power Revoked

1 Corinthians 5: Now, it is actually being said that there is sexual immorality among you so terrible that not even the heathen would be guilty of it. I am told that a man is sleeping with his stepmother! ² How, then, can you be proud? On the contrary, you should be filled with sadness, and the man who has done such a thing should be expelled from your fellowship. ^3-4 And even though I am far away from you in body, still I am there with you in spirit; and as though I were there with you, I have in the name of our Lord Jesus already passed judgment on the man who has done this terrible thing. As you meet together, and I meet with you in my spirit, by the power of our Lord Jesus present with us, ⁵ you are to hand this man over to Satan for his body to be destroyed, so that his spirit may be saved in the Day of the Lord.

 

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Looking at porn at an early age set the stage for a struggle. Magazines were the internet of the time and I only got one, but that was enough. After the magazine became boring, I wanted the real thing. Isn’t sex before marriage old thinking I tried to justify.

 

• Many times I tried to justify my lusts as being human.
• Many times I tried to justify fulfilling my sexual desires outside of how GOD intended.
• Many times I tried to justify my sexual acts as being normal versus immoral.

 

Paul switched from compliments to a serious situation, namely sexual immorality. He gives one specific example and some instructions of how to handle the people involved. He suggests the man to be handed over to the power of Satan, keeping the man in his lusts, destroying his body. But what he was saying applies to everyone.

 

• GOD wants me to focus on sex as HE intended.
• GOD wants me to not be proud that I have fallen outside of HIS structure for sex.
• GOD wants me to know there are not degrees to sin.

 

Sin is sin. I mean, someone may think my sin is lightweight and GOD sees what I have done as devastating. Remember Adam? It only took one “innocent” bite of fruit to make all humans guilty of sin. That is how serious GOD takes sin.

 

Fortunately, JESUS provides salvation for my sins. But what about living? The man Paul spoke about still had a chance to have eternal life, but his power on earth may be ravaged with unexplained problem after problem. The man was doomed to live a non-victorious life. I am grateful JESUS forgives me and I seek “Well done” from GOD.

 

• Are you caught up in justifying how you perform sex?
• Do you think there are degrees of right and wrong when it comes to sex?
• Will you ask GOD to help you little by little so HE can guide you to where HE wants you to be regarding sex?

Chained to the Rock

 

Chained to the Rock

Romans 7: Do you not know, brothers and sisters—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? ² For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. ³ So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.

 

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Looking outside, I could see a warm inviting setting. Butterflies flapping and birds chirping made me want to be out there. But I was stuck in class. “When I grow up, I’ll be able to go outside when I want to.” I said to myself. I grew up and started working. “When I grow up, I will retire and go outside” I said to myself, looking out the window again.

 

• There have been many times I just wanted to be free.
• There have been many times I felt imprisoned.
• There have been many times I wanted to do as I pleased, but was bound by something.

 

Paul tries to explain what the Law does, to a male dominated group of religious leaders who knew it well. His example was a married woman being “bound” by the Law to not have sexual relations with any other man while the husband is still alive. But she is released from the Law of marriage if her husband dies.

 

• GOD wants me to know that when HE cursed the earth, all humans were “bound” to the Law.
• GOD wants me to understand that when the first human sinned, it caused me to be guilty of all sins written in the Law.
• GOD wants me to know that while I am alive, I have to be “bound” to something, otherwise I would be as wild as my sinful heart wants to be.

 

All humans are chained to the rock of the Law. GOD placed the Law in every human’s heart, giving me no excuse for not knowing. I am guilty as charged. How can I be freed from the guilt that wasn’t even caused by me? JESUS freed me from the death sentence the Law brings.

 

I am free to do as I please. But my heart is still sinful. GOD made it easy. Just believe in JESUS and HE will clean my heart and I can live to please HIM. I am grateful JESUS set me free.

 

• Are you looking for a better life?
• Do you think that if you got that car, house, job or mate, that your life would be “better?”
• Will you stop looking for happiness in things or people and invite JESUS into your heart so HE can clean it and focus you on the purpose HE made you for today?

Seeking by Lurking

Seeking by Lurking

John 7: ⁵And everyone went to his own house.

John 8: But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

² Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. ³ Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, ⁴ they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.

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Listening intently to every word, I wanted to catch this person in a lie, “I know they are guilty” I said to myself as I replayed events in my mind over and over. Something seemed strange this particular day when I saw the person. “This is the day I catch them in their lie” I thought. The person confessed their strange behavior on a very serious illness.

• There were times when I looked for something to be wrong with people.
• There were times when I watched people intently to see if they would fail.
• There were times when I sentenced people as guilty, then I watched them prove their guilt to me.

After the crowd left, JESUS went to the Mount of Olives, usually to pray. When HE returned HE was met by the church leaders who caught a woman in the act of adultery. They must have lurked behind her as she met with her lover or was the male someone they knew? Whatever the case, they did not accuse him.

Bringing her to JESUS, they demanded a biblical answer to trip HIM up. They sought failure for her and JESUS, hoping guilt would show their superiority.

• GOD wants me to seek people with grace, not guilt.
• GOD wants me to desire restoration for people, not reasons to leave them.
• GOD wants me to follow people to serve them, not harm them.

Motive for proving someone’s guilt is usually a problem with GOD. As I have said many times, “We are all in the mud, throwing mud at each other, saying ‘you have mud on your face’.” Pronouncing someone guilty, then watching them prove their guilt may be the very thing that makes me “guilty” before GOD.

HE wants me to admit my guilt to restore guilty people. Instead of lurking for superiority, HE wants me seeking people to bring back to HIM, gently. I am glad people were sent to bring me to HIM.

• Are you accusing others?
• Do you want to feel good about yourself by making someone else look guilty?
• Will you start seeking guilty people to gently bring them back to JESUS to save them and you today?

Busting into Heaven

Luke 16: ¹⁶ “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.¹⁷ And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.

¹⁸ “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.

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“Our FATHER, who art in heaven”, through “amen” was the prayer I mouthed, but in my mind I was saying, “I hope they don’t find out I stole from a store.” Or “I hope they don’t find my Playboy magazine I hid in the hamper of my room.” “I’m sure GOD won’t mind.”

• There were times when I made up my own rules.
• Three were times when I justified my sin.
• There were times when I recklessly plowed forward with what “I” wanted to do.

JESUS spoke bluntly to the church leaders who did whatever they wanted to do. HE saw through their “holy” act and said “Not one once of the law will go away.” The pharisees had figured out ways to justify the divorce of their wives so they could still be accepted in the community. JESUS sees through justification.

• GOD wants me to understand my sin cost JESUS HIS life.
• GOD wants me to understand that HIS law does not go away just because I say it does.
• GOD wants me to understand that my add on rules for “holiness” need to be examined with HIS law.

Justifying sin is something GOD opens my eyes to daily. HE doesn’t beat me up over and over about a single sin, however the HOLY SPIRIT does remind me that I did something wrong and I need forgiveness every day. GOD doesn’t want me to develop rules to get around HIS rules. HE wants me to embrace HIS law and praise JESUS for taking my eternal consequence away.

• Are you making your own rules?
• Do you think the rules you place on others align with the loving rules GOD gave?
• Will you drop your bitter, lustful, power grabbing rules and focus on GOD’s grace and mercy today?

Saying it plainly

Mark 10: Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again.

² The Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” testing Him.

³ And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?”

⁴ They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her.”

⁵ And Jesus answered and said to them, “Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. ⁶ But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ ⁷ ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, ⁸ and the two shall become one flesh’;  so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. ⁹ Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

¹⁰ In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter. ¹¹ So He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. ¹² And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

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“How did you socialize?” I said to the person. “I didn’t” was their response. My plan did not work. What I really wanted was permission to go to a party but was afraid to ask.

• There were times when I wanted something in my heart, but could not express them.
• There were times when I was afraid to say what I was really thinking.
• There were times when I desired something but could not say what I desired.

JESUS saw through everyone’s desires as they discussed divorce. HE knew the Pharisees and the disciples were looking at the law as an escape clause in order to fulfill their lusts. HE told them the law but they still questioned it. HE made it plain.

• JESUS says to me “Leave your parents and become one flesh.”
• JESUS says to me “I have put married people together for MY purpose.”
• JESUS says to me “Do not dream up reasons for divorce because I will classify it as an act of adultery.”

Seeing through lust filled plots is what GOD can do best. HE sees through my sordid plans and lets me know I should not continue down that path. HE speaks to me plainly so I can hear HIS words.

• Are you trying to twist your words because you are trying to create your own version of the truth?
• Are you amassing evidence for your version of the truth?
• Can you drop the hardness of your heart and find a place of peace where GOD wants you to dwell?

Out Clause

Matthew 19: ⁷ “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”

⁸ Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. ⁹ I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

¹⁰ The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

¹¹ Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. ¹² For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

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“Negotiate your exit” was the advice of the wealthy and powerful. They just knew their relationship would dissolve someday so they went in with an “exit strategy.”

• GOD says to me there is no “Exit Strategy” when it comes to marriage.
• GOD says to me “Throw away your ‘Out Clause’ thinking.”
• GOD says to me “Marriage is a calling, not a pleasure ride.”

Within a few short sentences JESUS speaks about sexual purity in marriage as part of this calling. HE calls the “Out Clause” thinking “Forced Adultery.” The disciples reaction was classic! They had been taught they could divorce and move on to the next so there was no need for reconciliation or control of lust. “Who can do this?” they cried out.

• JESUS explained a higher calling of sexual purity in not being married.
• JESUS explained the higher calling is for a chosen few who can accept it.
• JESUS explained that living married or unmarried is for the kingdom.

Anger, bitterness and rage can be controlled by those who are headed towards divorce or have already done it. GOD says “I forgive all who believe in ME” and HE means it. HE says to me “Love everyone as I have loved you.”

• Do you have an “Out Clause?”
• Are you bitter towards another person?
• Can you drop your bitterness and turn your rage into GOD’s love so you can be successful?

Perfect Couple

Matthew 19: When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. ² Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

³ Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”

⁴ “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ ⁵ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? ⁶ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

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It is quite amazing how the Pharisees ignored the miracles happening before their very eyes. Instead they brought questions about something that was on their heart in the first place, namely divorce.

• JESUS says “In the beginning I made male and female.”
• JESUS says “A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
• JESUS says “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

What happened to the miracles? Didn’t someone get healed from a terminal illness moments before? The mere mention of the word “divorce” distracted me as I have seen the disintegration of this institution with not much help to keep it successful.

• JESUS took me back to HIS creation to show me how HE meant things to be.
• JESUS took me back to HIS creation to show me what perfection looked like.
• JESUS took me back to HIS creation to show me HIS structure, not mine.

There is an important observation in this passage. “GOD has joined together” is the thing that I noticed the most. This means there is more of a purpose than my pleasure in this union. Without JESUS being the purpose of the marriage, two will remain two.

• Are you divorced or getting divorced?
• Are you married but are two instead of one?
• Can you unite for the purpose of JESUS so you can see HIS miracles?

Stumbling

Matthew 18: ⁶ “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. ⁷ Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! ⁸ If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. ⁹ And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

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Sexual purity was the last thing on my mind when I was hanging out at the clubs. Admiration turned into action as I sought after short term fulfillment. The problem was the next day. Riddled with guilt and shame I did not feel like I had followed CHRIST and I’m sure I could not talk to my lustful companion about HIM.

• There were times I have been controlled by lust.
• There have been times when I said, “I deserve a little sin.”
• There were times I caused people to stumble.

Dragging someone into my mess is a real problem to GOD. Not only am I harming me, I am harming someone else. GOD wanted my behavior to change.

• GOD said to me “I want your mind, body and soul.”
• GOD said to me “I want you to keep the temple I have given you pure and clean.”
• GOD said to me “Watch carefully what you put in your heart.”

The passage doesn’t just talk about sexual purity. It speaks about character. If I am stealing, lying, cheating, complaining or threatening, I may have caused myself and others to stumble in their faith. GOD wants me to speak and act with HIS motives so others can be drawn to HIM.

• Are you building people up or tearing them down?
• Are you fulfilling your lusts and causing yourself and others to stumble?
• Can you stop focusing on yourself for a moment and focus on others long enough to tell them about JESUS?

Wisdom from GOD

Proverbs 7: My son, keep my words
    and store up my commands within you.
² Keep my commands and you will live;
    guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
³ Bind them on your fingers;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
    and to insight, “You are my relative.”
⁵ They will keep you from the adulterous woman,
    from the wayward woman with her seductive words.

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Walking back from a friend’s house I heard a car speeding down the street followed closely by a police car. As they tore down the alley I was near, I saw them throw something from the car and thought nothing of it. Later that night the phone rang and I picked it up. A woman was on the phone and she asked if I had seen anything. I told her I had not and she began to say seductive words and asked if I had a car. “Wow! No one had ever said stuff like this to me” I thought to myself.

• There were times when I fell for seductive words.
• There were times where I wanted to be seduced.
• There were times where I would fall for just about anything.

Gullible was written all over my forehead as I did not question how this person even got my number connecting me to an obvious crime. My teenage hormones raced and all I could hear were those words. Is there a warning?

• GOD says to me “Keep MY commands and you will live.”
• GOD says to me “Guard MY teachings as the apple of your eye.”
• GOD says to me “Adopt wisdom as your sister and insight as your relative.”

I would like to say this was the only incident that I fell for, but alas it wasn’t. I think I lost my class ring and some hard earned cash to other smooth talkers within the next year. GOD wants me to fully grasp that HIS direction is meant for my protection, not to prevent me from having “fun.” GOD wants what is best for me and asks that I keep HIS ways.

• Are you being fooled?
• Are you listening to seductive words from someone?
• Can you stop listening to those words and follow GOD today?

GOD has a blessing

Numbers:24: ⁵ “People of Jacob, your tents are very beautiful.
    Israel, the places where you live are very beautiful.

⁶ “They spread out like valleys.
    They are like gardens beside a river.
They are like aloes the Lord has planted.
    They are like cedar trees beside a stream.
⁷ Their water buckets will run over.
    Their seeds will have plenty of water.

“Their king will be greater than King Agag.
    Their kingdom will be honored.

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When circumstances seem most dismal, GOD comes through with HIS message of love. HE has never failed me before and HE certainly won’t start now. In fact, GOD sees all that I go through.  The trials, temptations, tribulations and troubles are all part of amazing growth I must endure to become stronger for HIS purpose.

·         GOD promises I will have plenty and HE knows there will be trials in my life.

·         GOD promises I will be rewarded in heaven and knows my needs here on Earth.

·         GOD promises I will have eternal life when I believe in JESUS’s murder and resurrection in place of my sins and knows I will continue to sin until I die.

When GOD blessed me, HE looked at my entire sinful life and immediately tried to restore me to my rightful place, the place HE created for me. That blessing is permanent! My belief in JESUS has eradicated all my sins. HIS grace is sufficient.

·         Do you feel GOD’s grace is sufficient for forgiveness of your sins?

·         Do you feel GOD’s grace is sufficient for forgiveness of “that” person’s sins?

·         Can you stop judging and ask for grace and let GOD take care of the situation?

·         Won’t you ask for a blessing instead of a curse for someone today?

I thought I wanted toys

Revelation 18: ⁴ Then I heard another voice calling from heaven,

“Come away from her, my people.
    Do not take part in her sins,
    or you will be punished with her.

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“Finally I got a new car” I thought to myself.  It was my first brand new car and I cherished it.  I drove around a couple of hours just to be in it.  Once a speck of dirt touched it, I immediately washed it. One morning I saw the dew glisten all over the car with the exception of one window.

As I got closer I noticed my car had been broken into and all my music had been stolen. My car was never the same. Next time I’ll get a better car and I’ll have a garage and an alarm system!

• My stuff brings worries about my stuff.
• My toys are fun to play with until I get tired or my toys.
• My things seem to never last and I have to go out and get more things.

I’ve had some expensive things and some cheap things and they only made me lust for more things.  In fact, I found myself willing to do almost anything to keep my things or to get more things.  GOD says different.

• GOD doesn’t mind if I have things, but HE wants to be the focus in my life.
• GOD sometimes blesses me with things and HE blesses me by taking things away from me.
• GOD allows me to choose between HIM and things.

It’s very difficult to just give “stuff” up.  I mean I have to live don’t I? Yes, but things come and go and I must release them as GOD sees fit. No longer will I do almost anything for things.  My focus should be on seeking GOD’s kingdom and things here on earth and in heaven will be given to me but not in a greedy selfish way.

• Are you stuck on getting the latest thing?
• Are you sad because you can’t get more things?
• Won’t you step away from your things for a moment and focus on GOD?
• Can you give up some of your things as a sacrifice to the LORD?

I have someone who can help

Hebrews 2: ¹⁷ For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

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When I compare my temptations to other folks they seem rather mild. Okay, I was tempted to take my parents’ car without permission, look at a body I wasn’t married to, or move ahead in the company while taking others out of my way. People today would say “you are really a wimp” especially since I was really nervous as the temptation popped in my head.

Even though my temptations may seem mild they are temptations nonetheless. Who can help me with my temptations?

• When I am tempted to sin, I try to run away from GOD.
• When I am tempted to sin, I blame GOD for making too many rules.
• When I am tempted to sin, I look at others instead of myself and I justify my actions.

The devil knows sin blinds me from GOD’s grace. Every time I sin, I can’t see how GOD would love me, nor can I see that I have the right to tell anyone else about HIM.  I mean what would I say? “Follow the rules?” I couldn’t even follow them myself. Wait, maybe that’s what I should say!

• I should tell people I sin and GOD forgives me.
• I should tell people JESUS became a human and understands everything I go through.
• I should tell people GOD desires to help “anyone” who is willing to hear HIM.

GOD loved me so much that HE took my punishment for sin. HE sentenced HIMSELF and allowed HIS humans to murder HIM. Before HE died HE was tempted in every way possible. Yes “every way.” HE never sinned and fully understands my battle. HE is my focus to help me see around the temptation.

• Are you tempted?
• Do you feel like you are not in control of your life?
• Can you allow GOD to comfort you?
• Won’t you believe HE knows what you are going through and wants to help?

Just say “No!”

Titus 2: ¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

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Rain delayed the busses and everyone, including me, piled on the first bus that appeared. Standing room only forced us to be pushed to the seedier area of the bus where “that” guy felt compelled to light up his “homegrown” cigarette at six O’clock in the morning. He peered at me with a grin and asked “Want some?” That was an easy “NO!”

Later that day some of my friends said they were going to a party that night. I said I probably wouldn’t be allowed to go and they suggested that I sneak out. “Hmm, that’s not a bad idea” I thought to myself. The problem was I couldn’t come up with a good lie, our house was too small and my parents seemed to be awake at crazy hours. “How are you getting out of your house?” I asked.

• The world will always offer me something that seems “better” than GOD.
• The world will always want me to jump in on activities that are against GOD.
• The world will always invite me to join in activities that don’t please GOD but since “everyone” else is doing it maybe HE won’t mind.

The HOLY SPIRIT was place inside anyone who believes that JESUS (GOD) voluntarily allowed HIMSELF to be murdered by HIS own creation and is now living. The HOLY SPIRIT teaches me to say “NO” to the temptations of the world and HE comforts me “when” I decide to fall.

Little by little HE teaches me to take baby steps toward HIM and every time I fall, HE is right there to pick me up. CHRIST did the heavy lifting by removing eternal death from me. All I have to do is accept HIS gift and be purified. I can now take my baby steps toward HIM.

• Are you tempted to do something you know is wrong?
• Are you avoiding GOD so you can keep doing what you are doing?
• Can you turn toward HIM just a little today?
• Won’t you say “No” to that temptation and know that if you fall HE is there to pick you up?

Say the “hard to say” stuff too

2 Timothy 4:¹In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ² Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

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As I listened to the final message in our four week class I felt ready to change the world!  Now that I know exactly which scripture to use, surely people would hear the message and automatically believe in CHRIST.  I approached a person with Bible in hand and he said “Get away from me with that (expletive delete).”

I then changed my approach to that of a judge. Maybe if I told them what was wrong with them then they would see the err of their ways. I judged everyone and well, you know how that ended. I know, maybe I should teach what they wanted to hear. This would get “more people!”

• When I want to sin, I don’t want to hear a message about GOD because I “want” to sin.
• When I want to stay away from GOD, I harden my heart to any message that could tell me to act differently.
• When I want to be accepted by the world, I look for as many people to support my lifestyle so I can stay in my lifestyle and not change.

Living for CHRIST is not easy I must admit.  I mean it’s becoming more and more accepted to openly sin and hide behind the “Christian” label. Sloshing in sensuality or stepping up to power or slandering a political candidate have become widely accepted in churches around the nation. What message should I be preaching?

• I should always be prepared to speak about JESUS who died “because” of me and now lives.
• I should lovingly correct a CHRIST follower when there is an err in doctrinal soundness.
• I should patiently rebuke those who preach “against” CHRIST, not to win an argument but in hopes they might believe and be rescued.
• I should look for opportunities to encourage as many people as possible because that is what people are looking for.

The Bible is full of loving promises and encouragement, but it also has GOD’s wrath and judgment. I can’t just tickle ears to get big numbers. HIS message penetrates deep and cuts me too! 

• Are you scared of telling people about GOD?
• Are you so politically blind that you cannot see your own sin or your candidates’ sin?
• Have you lost your “fear of GOD” because you are with a community who teaches what you want to hear?
• Isn’t it time you moved out of your comfort zone to live for GOD?